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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 




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PENTECOST. 



' The tires that rushed on Sina5 down 
In sudden torrents dread. 
Now gently light a glorious crown, 
On every sainted head. " 

* — Keblb's Whitsuntide. 



BY 8. L. LITTLE. 




NEWPORT, R. I. : 

DAVIS & PITMAN'S STEAM PRINTING PRESS. 

18 69. 



PSn+3 
• bssTf 



TO 
MISS MARGARET K. PARISH, 

1 II l: II K A R V I N G FKIEN D W Ho HAS BIT E N II I I: s |. I, I 
WITH SUCH FAITH A N 1> DEVOTION, 

To the Cause of Our Redeemer, 

THIS I'OK.M IS AFFECTIONATELY IKSCEIBKD, 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



INTRODUCTION TO PART FIRST. 

(Time between Pas-sorer and Pentecost.) 



LEBANON, Lebanon ! Queen of the mountains! 
Crowned with thy cedars ami clear, sparkling foun- 
tains ; 
Now is the time when thy leaf buds are showing, 
Now is the time when thy spring breeze is blowing. 
Now the song of the turtle the valley is cheering. 
And the full, ruddy buds on the vines are appearing. 
All over the land of Jehovah's electing, 
The ripe spring of the Orient her work is perfecting. 
In the morning, what tintings of purple between 
The breaking grey mists of the day dawn, are seen. 
How early the shepherd is leading his nocks, 
Where the stream gurgles down from the deep rifted 

rocks. 
The peasant goes forth with a song to his toil, 
And in simple faith trusteth the seed to the soil. 
The country is still in Judea the blest, 
But is their famed beautiful city at rest ! 
No, no ; the Great Prophecy glooms o'er the land, 
The times of the Gentiles— their triumph at hand — 



IN Til OD UCTION. 



And the terrible curse, their own wild imprecation, 
Hangs like a charged thunderbolt, over the nation. 
Although yet for a while the fires they smother. 
Feuds are arising twixt Brother and Brother. 
The mother receiveth her first born with tears, 
And the joy of maternity fades into fears. 
Yet ever long suffering, the wrath of the Lord 
Not yet on the recreant people is poured. 
One more act of mercy — one more act of grace, 
E'er the judgment oi Heaven descends on the i - ace. 



PART FIRST. 



I. 

(Hakan) Is this thee, Enos I I had thought thee dead. 

Our hopes once more to meet were not in vain ; 
But since Ave paited, ninny years have tkd. 

What brings thee to Jerusalem again ? 

Pleasure, or friendship, or the love of gain '. 
(Enos) Not riches, for in Persia I've great wealth : 

But while at home, I said, " At any cost, 
I, verily, for sold and body's health, 

Will deck the Temple's Gate, at Pentecost ;" 

So with a caravan the country crost. 

II. 

Here, Haran, my choice offering behold, 

By hands of a most cunning workman wrought. 

See how the grapes glow in the molten gold. 
To give a rare and costly gift I sought. 
And with a guard the sacred treasure brought. 

Thou knowest that at the Gate called Beautiful. 
Where costly gifts of rich devotion shine, 

There hangs a vine of golden clusters full. 
And of my pious fealty the sign, 
I haste to add this precious gift of mine. 



PENTECOST. 



III. 

But first pray say, how went the Passover '. 

(Hakax) Now tell me, Enos, if thou hast not heard, 
And yet of old Jerusalem a lover. 

I thought the news the very world had stirred. 

And yet to thee in Persia came no word ! 
(Enos) Amassing treasures, of my business full, 

And in my warehouse often night and day, 
My ears to Rumor's varying voice were dull. 

What wondrous thing transpired on that great day, 

1 pray thee tell, and then I go my way. 

IV. 

(Haran) First, I must ask thee, if no tidings came 
Of a great Prophet out of Galilee, 

Who filled the land with His surpassing fame — 
Jesus of Nazareth % Came no word to thee 
Of all the works He wrought so marvellously ? 

(Enos) Yea, I remember during the past year, 
When ruddy clouds the brow of Evening wreath, 

A travelling Rabbi to my home drew near, 
And out upon the open flowery heath, 
All night we sat, the spreading palms beneath. 

V. 

There, till the low moon kissed the Western Sea, 

In lovely words as ever Angel saith, 
Sweetly he talked with my young wife and me — 

And how she listened till she held her breath, 



PENTECOST. 



My young believing wife Elizabeth ! 
He told that out of Nazareth, that place 

We always thought to Sin and Satan sold, 
Proverbially destitute of grace, 

A Prophet comes, whom his disciples hold 

To be the very Christ our Oracles foretold. 

VI. 

He told how once a sudden tempest swept 
Around their vessel, out in the mid sea, 

While in the hinder part the Master slept — 
To Him the trembling men affrighted flee ; 
•■ Save or we perish, Lord," their urgent plea. 

He rose, and forward on the deck He went — 
One glance around the deafening tempest casl : 

Strong winds, wild lightnings rent the firmament 
The roaring waves urged by the stormy blast, 
Dashed their mad waters o'er the creaking mast. 

VII. 

Impetuous on the cruel surges press — 

Each black and threat' ning wave comes nearer still. 

To overwhelm the vessel in distress. 

He saw, and all He said was. " Peace, be still :" 
The raging waters felt His mighty will. 

Yea, as He spoke the word with grandeur meet. 
Hushed in an instant was the wild alarm ; 

The waves slept in the moonlight at his feet ; 
The distant Heavens obedient to the charm, 
Looked down on Earth, magnificently calm. 



10 PENTECOST. 



VIII. 

All this and more our sacred Rabbi told. 

He left us as the morning skies grew bright. 

Charmed with his gracious speech, and yet behold, 
Our next day's guest made me forget, him quite, 
And the strange legend of that summer night. 

T was one who dealt in pearls and gems with me. 
And did such royal merchandise unlade, 

The rarest treasures of the Earth and Sea, 
As gave such glorious impetus to trade, 
I thought no more of what the Rabbi said. 

IX. 

Though ever and anon my thoughtful wife, 
During those evening walks we loved so well. 

Would say to me, " Oh, I would give my life 
To hear the Rabbi Nicodemus tell 
Of Him who could the raging waters quell." 

(Haran) Well, friend, I have strange sequel to relate. 
Here is my shady garden close beside ; 

So, e'er thou hang'st thy offering at the gate. 
Come enter in, and wait till eventide, 
Or if it please thee, longer time abide. 



[They enter the Garden. After refreshments, 
Haran commences.] 



PENTECOST. 11 



X. 

(H.vhax) Now nearly seven weeks their course have 
rolled, 
Since, while the Passover was kept in state. 

Jesus, of whom our holy Rabbi told, 
Suffered to death a malefactor's fate, 
Led to his shameful Cross without the Gate. 

"Tis true. He spoke 'gainst priest and Pharisee. 
Struck at their barriers with His word of might. ' 

Threw down their strongholds of iniquity; 
And on the waiting people poured the light : 
This was the secret cause of all their spite. 

XL 

He gained some true disciples from the crowd 

Who flocked to hear His heavenly ministry ; 
Alas ! the rest like me to Mammon bowed. 

There is one thought which gives to me the key. 

Unlocking all this seeming mystery ; 
How. so soon alter His triumphant hour. 

Entering the city, that his wily foes 
Could turn around the changing people's power. 

So that against Him they as one arose. 

The cause of this I will in time disclose. 

XII. 

His life, a river, rolling from its source, 

We saw in bright progression onward move, 
Grow more and more resistless in its course. 



12 PENTECOST. 



L 11 mighty miracles, in deeds of love, 
In speech all human eloquence above. 

All this in multitudes the faith awoke, 

Thai this was He to olden prophets shown : 

Destined to break the Gentiles iron yoke, 
( rreat David's Tabernacle fallen down 
To build again and wear his kingly crown. 

XIII. 

Of late a miracle of Godlike power, 
A fitting climax for career so great, 

Deepened the master feeling of the hour ; 
Increased to passion marvellous to relate, 
The people's reverence and the priesthood's hate. 

There dwelt in Bethany a family — 
And many in the city say they were 

In ancient times a race of high degree — 
A brother and two sisters ; — often there, 
Would Jesus in his journeyings repair. 

XIV. 

He held with them a tender, sacred tie — 
Time will not now suffice me here to tell 

How came about so deep a unity ; 

But it was sweet to Jesus there to dwell, 
Where love like Eden's dew around him fell. 

It happened He to Galilee had gone, 

And on the bed of pain was Lazarus laid. 

Though instantly the news to him was borne ; 



PENTECOST. 13 



Yet strange to tell, He went not to their aid ; 
Two days passed on, yet still the Lord delayed. 

XV. 

Then spake He : " Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but lo ! 
I go that I may waken him from sleep." 

"Lord, if he sleeps he will do well we know ; 
Good for the sick are slumbers long and deep," 
His meaning Christ no more will secret keep. 

" Lazarus is dead," He said, "and I am glad 
I was not there, that ye may now believe," 

And His disciples, now no longer sad, 

His words with faith and reverence receive, 
And some the hiding of His power perceive. 

XVI. 

Meantime to Bethany by friendship led, 

With many Jews I went on the fouith morn, 

To comfort the two sisters o'er their dead. 
We came, but Martha suddenly was gone ; 
We thought she went beside the grave to mourn. 

Mary sat still ; no words her grief expressed ? 
The silent flow of tears all uncontrolled, 

Alone the fullness of that grief confessed ? 
Her hair hung loosened from its golden fold, 
And glimmering through her tears, her eyes were 
lovely to behold. 



14 PENTECOST 



XVII. 

A sign is given, and Mary leaves her seat ; 

Her sister Martha stands without the gate ; 
With a low whisper and embrace they meet, 
And hastening onward not a moment wait. 

We saw. and pitying their lonely state. 
Behold, we said, these sisters go to weep 

Over the grave, and we will with them go. 
It moves the heart to see a grief so deep. 

Let us our kindliest sympathy bestow, 

While mingling with their own. our tears fraternal 
flow. 

XVIIT. 

Yet not towards ihe grave the sisters bent 

Their flying footsteps as if winged by woe. 
But through the open country road they went. 

We followed in their wake, with steps more slow. 

Wondering and querying whither they would go. 
The road turned sharply down, leading between 

Tail, graceful sycamores in stately pride. 
Suddenly before us stood the Nazarene, 

And Mary weeping as she saw Him, cried. 

"Lord, hadst thou been here. Lazarus had not 
died." 

XIX. 

(Enos) How looked the Prophet at that time, 1 pray ' 
Tell me, I know that thou canst picture well. 



PENTECOST. i<"> 



(II Aii.\x) No mortal limner might the work essay. — 
Can words describe the Indescribable .' 
Could earthly language Heavenly glories tell, 

Then might I the pure loveliness portray. 
Illumining those lineaments divine. 

The marvelous Presence I beheld that day. 
Where the real majesty of Heaven did shine. 
Through a Humanity as weak as mine. 

XX. 

Jesus in spirit -roans, through strong desires. 

O'er the Pale Foe to win the victory. 
••Where have ye laid him I" in low voire inquires. 

The tremulous answer was, "Lord, come and see. 

Thereat He wept so long and heavily. 
''Behold, how well he loved him," was our word : 

(At sight of this fond flow of tears He shed): 
Yet if He has such power as we have heard. 

Why is good Lazarus numbered with the dead. 

Why came He not before the spirit lied .'" 

XXL 

We stood in awe around the rocky cave; 

Still was the earth, and still the watching skies. 
A stone concealed the opening of the grave ; 

••Take ye away the stone," the Master cries. 

The rising .-'lory gathering in His eyes. 
Then Martha: "Lord, 'tis four days since he died ; 

Corruption has begun its work abhorred." 



16 PENTECOST. 



"Said I not unto thee," Jesus replied, 

"That if thou truly wouldst believe my word, 
Thine eyes should seethe glory of the Lord ?" 

XXII. 

Then Jesus raised His eyes so gloriously : 

"Father, I thank thee thou hast heard my prayer. 

And well I knew thou always hearest me ; 
But for their sakes do I this witness bear. — 
These listening multitudes who present are ; 

I said it, that they may the truth receive, 
That I, as sent from thee, on earth appear, 

And with the heart, may on my name believe." 
He ceased the holy words of mystery dear, 
Which the still heavens and earth seem hushed to 
hear. 

XXIII. 

And now behold Him, — who a while ago. 

At thought of Lazarus and the mourning band, 

Sat down and wept in weakness and in woe, — 
Before the open tomb, behold him stand, 
With Life and Death at his supreme command. 

"Lazarus, come forth," He cries Avith a loud voice ; 
Out from the grave he cometh at that word — 

Out from the grave ! — Let Heaven and Earth rejoice ! 
Bound hand and foot he stands before the Lord, 
Full of the fresh new life through all his being 
poured. 



PENTECOST. 17 



XXIV. 

Hear to the simple words midst all this glow, — 
This crowning excellence of Godlike power, — 

These simple words, "Loose him and let him go." 
The humility and grandeur of thai hour, 
How docs it over human greatness tower ! 

Men flaunt their vaunted fame in God's pure sight, 
But mark the lowliness and majesty 

Commingled in the Son of His delight. 

The very dead are raised ; yet look and see 

Even then how meekly shines the true Divinity ! 

XXV. 

Now many of the Jews believed that day ; 

(I marvel there was left one doubting one !) 
But some most strangely blinded went their way. 

And told the Pharisees what He had done. 

Then the dark plot against His life begun. 
Throughout the Country, went the great renown 

Of this, of all His works the most sublime. 
But in Jerusalem the Priesthood frown 

Against the rising Spirit of the time, 

And fast their hatred ripens into crime. 

XXVI. 

Yel through the masses of the people went 
A growing feeling daily rising higher, 

That in this mighty Prophet, God had sent 
To longing Israel her true Messiah, 



18 PENTECOST. 



Whose promised Advent fired her sacred Lyre. 
Hopeful they looked deliverance to see, 

And as the Day of Passover drew near, 
Wherever there a group of Jews might be, 

Were earnest questionings; "Will He be here," 

Some from excited hopes and some from love sin 
cere. 

XXVII. 

After the miracle as Jesus knew 

And needed not that any should disclose, 

The envious hate that would His life pursue, 
To avoid the present rage of priestly foes, 
And bide His time, He to the desert goes, 

A time of rest, retirement, and prayer, 
But when six days to Passover remain, 

Leaving the City Ephraim where they were, 
With His disciples (an increasing train) 
Jesus appears in Bethany again. 

XXVIII. 

How welcome to the blessed trio there, 
Upon their threshold beautiful, His feet. 

The zealous Martha must a feast prepare, 
Yet calls not now her Sister from that seat, 
To the rapt listener more than ever sweet. 

Soon of His reappearance there we heard ; 
As Bethany is an adjacent town, 



PENTECOST. 19 



The Heart of old Jerusalem was stirred, 
And many to the village hastened down ; 
I with the rest despite the Rabbi's frown. 

XXIX 

The Supper for the Company was spread. 

When we arrived. Among the Guests we trace 

Him who was newly risen from the dead. 
Martha was serving- with her wonted grace. 
But Lazarus at the table had a place. 

The very sight of him awaking praise. 

Glowing and fresh with new found life he seemed, 

And ever as on Jesus turned his gaze, 
His eyes with silent hallelujahs beamed 
To Him who had from death, body and soul re- 
deemed. 

XXX. 

I saw not Mary till she forward oame. 
On her had fallen an Inspiration great ; 

The inflowing Spirit shook her conscious frame, 
For the young Prophetess must consecrate 
Her much loved master to His coming fate. 

She bears a box of spikenard in her hands. 
No costlier ointment rich Arabia knows. 

With reverential pause beside Him stands. 

She breaks the Box ; then trembling nearer draws, 
And on her Savior's head the Last Anointing poure. 



20 PENTECOST. 



XXXI. 

While the rare odor tills the room around. 
And the disciples reverence the deed. 

One sordid soul among- their ranks is found. 
And moved by envy and his grasping greed, 
From him these jealous murmerings proceed. 

"Why was this waste of precious ointment made, 
Whose costly price would give the poor relief?" 

This Judas said not caring for the poor, 
But that he had the hag and was a thief, 
Nay more was. in his heart, a traitor to his Chief. 

XXXII. 
The Master speaks with calm authority. 

"Let her alone, for verily I say, 
Mary has wrought a holy work on me. 

Coming beforehand in prophetic way. 

To anoint my body for the burial day ; 
And Whereso'er this Gospel shall be shown 

Throughout the world, the pious deed ye blame 
Shall as her sweet memorial be known. 

And consecrate to ever living fame, 

The blessed memory of this woman's name. 

XXXIII. 

The poor ye always have, not always me ; 

These ye may always bless; I go from you." 
He ceased. The night was waning fast, and we 

Our homeward course from Bethany pursue. 



PENTECOST. 2! 



Our thoughts were many, but our words were few. 
The sight of Lazarus to life restored, 

The act whose meaning we not yet discerned, 
That mystical anointing of the Lord, 

We pondered much upon, as we returned, 

Till now the Temple's lights before us burned. 

XXXIV 

Jerusalem's great crowd was much increased. 

Fast through all ranks the stirring rumor flies, 
He is at hand, and coming to the feast. 

I saw the popular current stronger rise, 

Nor did what followed take me by surprise. 
At Bethany when night to dawn gave place, 

Around the master came the faithful band. 
Towards Jerusalem He sets His face, 

But first to two disciples gives command 

To hasten to a village near at hand. 
XXXV. 
There at the meeting of two roads ye find 

An Ass and foal as yet by man unused, 
And after ye her tethered colt unbind, 

Bring both to me — ye shall not be refused, 

For when the owner asks why they are loosed, 
And ye shall say the Lord of them hath need, 

Immediately will both to me be led 
Even by the owner with a ready speed. 

The two disciples on their errand sped, 

And found it even as the Lord had said. 



22 PENTECOST. 



XXXYI. 

Tell ye the Daughter of Zion, Behold, 

Having Salvation now cometh thy King — 

Thus sung thy Bards and thy prophets of old — 
Thy sweet Psalms of Glory exultingly sing, 
Wide open the Gates of thine excellence fling, 

Riding an Ass and the Foal of an Ass, 

In the beauty of meekness, He cometh to reign. 

Go spread down thy garments the way He shall pass. 
Wave thy green palms, shout again and again, 
Jesus, Messiah, the Kingdom obtain. 

XXXVII. 

The tidings to the City comes that morn, 

Which much the excited, earnest people charms, 

Of, Jesus on His way in triumph borne — 

How they rent down the branches of the palms, 
And waved them as He went, singing their glorious 
Psalms. 

On hearing this, issuing from every street. 
Another multitude their branches bring, 

And hasten through the open Gates to greet, 
With praises jubilant, the coming King, 
And loudly thus their royal Anthem sing. 

XXXVIII. 

Hosanna in the Highest ! thus sang Israel the saved, 
Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the 
Lord ; 



PENTECOST. 23 



Blessed be the Kingdom of our Father David, 
That cometh in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the Highest! thus they sang in full 
accord. 
Oh ! nature grew the brighter in the voices of their 
cheering. 
Those fair, auroral skies seemed to keep the Jubilee- 
Flushed warmer in the light of His glorious appearing. 
The birds their matins singing so sweet in eveiy 

tree, 
As though in their notes revealing, This is He ! 
This is he ! 

XXXIX. 

But when Jerusalem appeared in sight, 
Even as they came to Olivet's descent, 

Spread out in beauty, in the morning light, 
While the ascending Hallelujahs rent 
The conscious glowing, echoing, Firmament, 

Over the Prophet's brow a shadow swept. 
A tenderness that could not be represt, 

And at the height of glory Jesus wept — 
Wept o'er His own Jerusalem the blest — 
And in prophetic words her coming doom exprcst. 

XL. 

The excited people noted not that day, 

So high their own aspiring hopes take wing, 
The fearful portent that His words convey, 



24 PENTECOST. 



But still the exultant Hallelujahs sing, 
Till rocks and Tallies with the echoes ring. 

Swept through the open gates, the mighty throng, 
Towards the Holy Temple onward pressed, 

All ripe in faith, all rapturous in song. 
Even the little children joined the rest, 
And theirs of all the praises pleased Him best. 

XLI. 

(Enos) How went it on — this wondrous History ? 
For I must hear it to its termination. 

(Haran) I will go on to unfold this mystery. 
The people's heart was hot with expectation, 
That He by Godlike power would save the nation. 

Many succeeding days they momently 

Hoped, that His royal entrance went before 

His showing forth as Shiloh gloriously, 

And that He should to Judah's hand restore 
The Imperial Sceptre, to depart no more. 

XLII. 

Else why should He, the people reasoning say, 

Enter the Holy City as her king ; 
And when to David's royal Son that Bay, 

Children Hosannas in the Temple sing 

And Pharisees would check their infant offering, 
Why did He say : If hushed their joyful shout, — 

The sweet perfection of all praise to me, — 
The very stones around us would cry out. 



PENTECOST. 25 



Yea, if ye hush their voices, praise shall be, 
Though the dull rocks break forth in grateful har- 
mony. 

XLIII. 

I said the general heart was all on flame ; 

Nor yet the Pharisees their wish fulfil, 
Though with insidious craft and artful blame 

Daily they worked to change the people's will. 

The people anxious wait — The Master still 
No aim to make Himself a monarch shows. 

Serene, majestic in the Holy Place, 
Wonderful wisdom from His lips o'erflows, 

So sweet the wisdom, and so great the grace, 

God talketh with His creatures face to face. 

XLIV. 

But that Day's triumph seemed to be an .Vet, 
Which from His after History appears 

An isolated anil prophetic fact, 

Foretelling what shall come in latter years, 
After long ages pass of hopes and fears. 

But daily listening to His discourse, 

Such words as these, were then a mystery, 

And yet they struck me with a pleasing force : 
"And I if I be lifted on the tree, 
Become the ground of hope ami draw all men to 
me." 



26 PENTECOST. 



XLV. 

But at that time, blinded like all the rest 

Who more the worldly than the Heavenly seek. 

I longed to see an Earthly Crown invest 

That glorious brow ; but when I heard him speak. 
All earthly honors seemed for Him too weak. 

It seemed as though His Being's primal flower. 
Its human blossoming of truth and grace, 

Condensed its sweetness in that Crisis Hour. 
A strange attractive sadness o'er His face, 
So won my heart, 'twas hard to leave the place. 

XLYI. 

Such golden parables as left His lips ! 

More lovely than before His doctrine flows ; 

Yet then the Cloud that should awhile eclipse 
The Light of Israel, in the distance rose — 
On the Horizon's verge its sbadow T grows. 

A day or two before the Feast began, 

I talked with some and found their hearts were sore. 

A bitter disappointment rankling ran, 

He was their King and David's Son no more. 
And not the Anointed Christ foretold of yore. 

XLVII. 

A Pharisee was talking to a crowd, 

And I, none knowing of my mind, drew near. 

Oh ! cunning was the speech, wherewith he bowed 
The people to his will. I paused to hear, 



PENTECOST. 27 



And these the words that pained my listening ear : 
; 'Ye dwellers at Jerusalem," said he, 

"Beneath the shadow of your Temple dear 
Had never left your homes this man to see, 

But many strangers at our feast appear, 

New to our faith, and to our customs here. 

XLVIII. 

These, spite our graver counsels, outward draw 
Your thoughtless multitudes with loud acclaim, 

To meet the Nazarene, as with a score 
Of Galilean followers He came, 
The Son of David, His assumed name. 

Their turbulent Hosannas fill the air ; 

They praise and glorify each wondrous deed, 

Though well they know our holy men declare, 
He with the Prince of Devils is agreed, 
And thence these powerful miracles proceed. 

XLIX. 

Disturber he both of the Church and State, 
Against him wisely from the first we strove, 

And should we doom him to a traitor's fate, 
Great Ca j sar will our loyalty approve, 
And heavy taxes from your wealth remove. 

(Enos) And what came next ? The turning of the tide 
Is not more sure than popular reverse ; 

A veering wind changing from side to side, 

Hard on the people's blessing waits their curse : 
But go thou on the story to rehearse. 



28 PENTECOST. 



L. 

(Haran) That very night, the Paschal supper o'er, 
Walking abroad to enjoy the evening air, 

Jesus with His beloved friends, I saw- 
Cross the Brook Cedron, to a garden there, 
Where He would often with the twelve repair. 

I often watched them on their way before, 
But on this evening as their course I trace, 

There comes upon my soul, such reverent awe, 
Yet such attraction, that with slackened pace 
I followed in their wake, till near the place. 

LI. 
But when they all had entered in, why then 

If there had been a guard of angels sent, 
All visible to sight of mortal men, 

They could not more my following steps prevent ; 

And thus repelled, I at a distance went, 
Hidden by a clump of trees, I took my seat ; 

Spell bound and fastened down I seemed to be, 
Unable to go on or to re treat, 

Looking towards the Garden, where to me 

Even the Olive Trees waved consciously. 

LIT. 

Oh, how I longed even then to join with them ! 

But could not waken the courageous thought, 
Unused against the popular tide to stem ; 

But while contending passions in me wrought, 



PENTECOST. 29 



The tramp of coming feet attention caught, 
And I beheld an armed band advance, 

Weapons and torches flashing in my sight. 
I knew their traitor leader at a glance. — 

False Judas, — Oh what treachery and spite 

Lurked in the darkness of his face that night ! 

LIII. 

They hastened to the Garden, I grew faint 

And swooned away, and visions then were shown 

Too holy to be seen, even by a Saint ; 

For in that trance I saw where prostrate thrown. 
Jesus the mystic winepress treads alone. 

I saw Him in an agony of Prayer, 
No help, the passion of His struggle stayed, 

Till the great drops of blood, fell to the ground 
The Father's answer then no more delayed, 
An angel hastens with the succoring aid. 

LIV. 

And while with awe the vision I behold, 

A sudden terror o'er my heart was brought ; 

A voice cried in my hearing "He is sold," 

It woke me from my trance. With anxious thought 
And hasty steps, the olive grove I sought. 

Master and men had gone, but in one place 

Where trodden grass showed where his steps \r.\d 
been, 

I thrilled to see the recent crimson trace 



30 PENTECOST. 



Of blood among the flowers and verdure green. 
Ah then 'twas true the vision I had seen. 

LV. 

" Jesus is sold !" again that voice I hear. 

Back to my home I haste with trembling soul, 

That watchful night no sleep to me drew near. 
As through my veins a burning fever stole, 
Came thronging thoughts I could no more control i 

But when the long and wretched night was done — 
The lingering hours that I had counted o'er — 

Just when the purpling clouds foretell the Sun, 
I fell asleep, but wakened with a roar 
Of maddening voices — Springing to the floor. 

LVI. 

I to my casement haste with trembling frame, 
With shaking hand, aside the curtain draw. 

Rushing and roaring down, the people came, 
Led by their Priests and Elders, but before 
Centurion and Roman band, I saw — 

Oh, sight ot sights that checked my bated breath, 
Bearing His Cross upon His bleeding back, 

Jesus of Nazareth they lead to death. 

Oh, cruel Cross, the Infernal Roman rack ! 

Oh, precious dropping blood,wetting the dusty track I 

LVII. 

Oh, ragged bloody crown of thorns entwined 
By ruffian hands in taunting mockery ; 



PENTECOST. *y 



Oh hear again the furious shout behind, 

Where some whose late Hosannas reached the sky, 
Now, "Crucify Him ! Crucify Him !" cry. 

One only object caught away my soul, 
So that no more I heed the multitude— 

The victim's face, thus hurried to the goal, 

Where shone through all the torture, dust, and 

blood, 
Such glorious purpose, and such changeless good. 

Lvni. 

His face with such unconquered sweetness beamed. 

Surrounded by this raging enmity, 
Heaven in the very midst of hell it seemed. 

Sick as I was. such passion seized on me, 

1 had to follow Him to Calvary, 
The fever lending me its binning force. 

Reaching the Hill, without the power to fly, 
1 had to see Him nailed to the Cross. 

Oh, Heaven ! I had to see it raised on high, 

And hear the jeerings of the passers by. 

LIX. 

A witness, suffering with him all the time, 

I had to see him in slow tortures die- 
See all his agony, severe, sublime— 

I had to hear the exceeding bitter cry, 

Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabacthani ! 
The words, the deeds I hear, as each transpires, 

Sweet incense offered with that Sacrifice 



32 PENTECOST. 



Consuming on in pain's intensest fires, 

Until I hear the cry as He expires, 

'Tis finished ! Glory lights the languid eyes, 
Jesus of Nazareth, bows His head and dies. 

LX. 

That instant, Lo, what mighty tokens sent 

The attending Priests who in the Temple walk. 

Behold, the veil from top to bottom rent, 
The solid Earth doth quake, and every rock 
Is riven assunder by the appalling shock. 

Yea, some new power does Death's dominion shake, 
Some graves of saints are opened as He dies, 

The dead within them from their sleep awake. 
Struck at the awful sight with terror and surprise, 
"Truly, this was the Son of God," the amazed 
Centurion cries. 

LXI. 

Some neighbors bore me home, and long I lay 
So low, no conscious life within me stirred, 

Exhausted by the experience of that day ; 
But after my recovery, then I heard, 
He had fulfilled His own prophetic word. 

There came an earthquake, just as the gold dawning 
Upward its earliest rays of light had thrown, 

Belting the eastern sky on the third morning, 

Long e'er the Sun's red rays the mountains crown — 
And lo, the Angel of the Lord came down. 



PENTECOST. 83 



LXII. 

He comes, and rolls the ponderous stone away 
(Such excellence of strength the angels know,) 

From Joseph's new made grave where Jesus lay, 
His countenance like lightning, and the flow 
Of his fair raiment whiter far than snow r . 

The keepers of the tomb are struck with dread ; 
Such sudden terror does their souls surprise, 

They tremble, quake, and fall around as dead: 
None but the. Glorious Angel's gladdening eyes 
Behold the Conqueror of the Grave arise. 

LXIII. 

None but those angel eyes of purest flame, 
All luminously holy as they are, 

Could see Him as from out the grave He came, 
Bearing of every wound the sacred scar, 
Yet fresh and beautiful, the Bright, the Morning 
Star. 

1 almost see Him at the entrance stand, — 
He who for us the Powers of Darkness braved ; 

The Keys of Death and Hell are in His hand, 
And such sweet triumph on His face engraved — 
The wondrous work is done, the world is saved. 

LXIV. 

Before He left, the Lord commanded them, 

(And faithfully His orders they attend) 
'•Tauy ye still here at Jerusalem; 



34 PENTECOST. 



A few days only after I ascend, 

I will the Promise of the Father send. 

So daily in an upper room they meet, 

In instant prayer, from morn till eventide, 

Jeered at by thoughtless mockers in the street, 
While graver men in graver terms deride 
What they call madness and persistent pride. 

LYV. 

Friend, three days brings the Sabbath ; the next day 
Is Pentecost. I pray thee do not seek 

Thy home as yet, but be prevailed to stay 
Over the Feast with me, and in the week 
We'll go and hear these men of whom I speak. 

(Enos.) Good friend, thus long I joy to be thy guest, 
For much thou knowest, and much [ long to 
know ; 

But now the sun looks to the kindling west, 

And while new thoughts within my bosom glow, 
Unto the Temple with my gift I go. 



FAR T SJSCO N I> 



INTRODUCTION TO PART SECOND. 



Tis the morning, early morning — 
Eastern glories are reflected 
From the west in rosy purple, 
Touching every russet mountain ; 
And along the silent valleys. 
Every flower now lifts her censer 
Full of breathing fragrant incense. 
Praying for the dewy blessing — 
Praying for the golden sunshine. 
Not yet clear the face of heaven, 
But every where there is a breaking, 
And the little clouds are whispering 
To one another of fair weather, 
As the blue breaks down between them, — 
Telling they shall soon be melting 
In the coining fiery sunshine ; 
And the clouds like tender lovers 
Part and weep and change their color. 
Every where is softer beauty, 



38 IN Til OB UC TION. 



Than it* cloudless fell the day-beam. 
Now, ere yet the stir beginneth, 
While the day is in its cradle, 
Readest thou in the still expansion 
Of the mellowing sky above thee, 
A sweet augury of something 
Secret in the young day's bosom f 
In the wind among the branches, 
In the very dew that falleth 
Like some consecrating unction. 
There has gone abroad a spirit 
As of holy preparation, 
Reverential, yet reviving. 
In the sighing of the cedars, 
In the refluent wave that greeteth 
The green banks of holy Jordan, 
All seemeth as in happy waiting ; 
And the temple on Moriah 
Gleameth like a mount of diamonds 
In the glorious, gorgeous sunlight — 
Showeth like a type terrestial 
Of the far-off Holy City, 
Of Jerusalem the golden. 



PART SECOXJ). 



I. 

(Hakan) A goodly day, friend Enos, for, behold, 
O'er fleeting clouds the Sun has risen fair, 

Tinging our Temple's top with flaming gold. 
Thither at once thus early we repair, 
Even now the Nazarenes are gathering there ; 

For these few days they stay from morn till eve, 
Convened together in the house of prayer, 

According to the word by .Jesus given, 

Until the Father's gift descend from heaven. 

II. 

(Enos.) How swift we came! now in the Temple 
here, 

Haran, the company so well you know, 
As passing on successive groups appear, 

To me the leading ones among them show. 

First, who is this ? Some chosen one, I trow, 
For, oh ! he hath upon his angel face 

A settled rapture — an abiding glow, 
As heaven already were his dwelling place, 
So great the fullness, and so rich the grace. 



40 PENTECOST. 



III. 

Yet though such meekness does his look control. 

Such warmth is blended with the gentleness, 
He hath by nature sure a fiery soul, 

Yet love subdueth now nature's excess ; 

And gazing on that face, I must confess, 
Haran, it bears an aspect so divine, 

I long the love within me to possess, 
Of which that countenance gives such clear sign. 
Grod of my fathers, be that spirit mine ! 

IV, 

(Haran.) This is the loved disciple, John, so blest 

He could in his simplicity draw near 
His heavenly Master more than all the rest, 

Because he had the love that casts out fear ; 

And tenderly did Jesus' trust appear, 
When in His final tortures as He died, 

He gave into his hands that mother dear. 
Whom John now duteously leads by his side. 
As if she were by nature's ties allied. 

V. 

See the blest mother pass along with him. 

You may not see her fairly through that veil ; 

Her face is sweeter than a seraph's hymn, 

For although years have told a saddening tale 
Since first the greeting angel said "All hail," 

Of grace, through all her pain, she feels no loss. 



PENTECOST. 41 



But all it was to be His mother knew, 
As she beheld Him dying on the cross, 
And Simeons prophecy became too true. 
Even when the Unseen Sword, had pierced her 
through. 

VI. 
Those that are passing now are the Eleven. 

Seest thou that man ? He is a leading one : 
To him was the first revelation given 

That Jesus Christ was the Eternal Son ; 

Yet Satan partial victory o'er him won. 
The powers of darkness did thus far prevail, 

That on the night when they the Master tried, 
He. cowering, felt his vaunted courage fail, 

And being pressed he thrice his Lord denied 

Before the cock crew twice, to tell 'twas morning 
tide. 

VII. 

But bitter his repentance, so his Lord 

Did afterward apostleship restore. 
Such lesson did that fearful fall afford, 

It made the Saint far humbler than before ; 

Experience teaches us a golden lore. 
'Tis said when Jesus did his power restore, 

He intimated that the day should come, 
When the stern death His heavenly Master bore, 

Should of the servant's trial be the sum, 

And win the immortal crown of martyrdom. 



42 PENTECOST. 



VIII. 

(Enos.) They all have passed; but in the Temple's 
porch 
We'll walk and talk together, for I feel 

Some influence that like a flaming torch 
At darkest midnight, does to me reveal 
My deepest self, my spirit's eyes unseal. 

These few past days I feel the growing force 
Of something new within, for hitherto 

My life has been of gold a gainful course — 
No higher object yet I held in view, 
Until Christ's wondrous history I knew. 

IX. 

"They all of one accord were in one place " — 
Lo, such a true accord earth has not known. 

.Since first in Paradise the evil root 

Of enmity by Satan's hand was sown, 

Flowering in Cain's deep hate, murder its fruit, 
Since then, enlarged by many a spreading shoot 

Violence has filled the earth — war's killing thunder 
Jarring God's harmony with rupture rude — 

But now have Jesus' heartstrings rent asunder, 
(When He the breach of Eden's peace made good — ) 
Restored the broken tie of human brotherhood. 

X 

Here is the first response to Bethlehem's song. 

In this Church union, this divine accord, 
As, by the Spirit gathered, the whole throng 



PENTECOST. 43 



Sit there in waiting prayer before the Lord. 

No words the full, expectant hearts afford. 
For supplication lias gone up, they know. 

Sure that He will the answering grace extend. 
See every beaming face with Faith aglow, 

That in an instant from their Heavenly Friend. 

The Promise of the Father may descend. 

XI. 

It comes, it conies, and suddenly, for, lo. 

A rushing mighty wind the house has tilled. 
That prayer is heard, God's answering tokens show 

The Promise of the Father is fulfilled, 

And to the inmost soul they all are thrilled. 
As now appearing cloven tongues of fire 

Sit upon each of them — The Holy Ghost 
His Sons and Daughters does alike inspire, 

Nor can the strong against the weaker boast ; 

Alike the Gift of tongues descends on all the Host. 

XII. 

God of Gods, Light of Lights, Spirit Eternal, 
Abundant in comfort, almighty in grace. 

Descending to Earth in thy glory supernal, 
Token that Jesus, High Priest of our race 
Has entered for us to the Holiest Place 

In the Heaven of Heavens — Good Spirit, we bow, 
And bless thee, and praise thee in Love's adoration. 

Oh ! welcome to Earth, Gracious Spirit, art thou, 



44 PENTECOST. 



Witness divine of a Perfect Salvation, 
Harbinger Dove of the world's restoration. 

XIII. 

Even as the Spirit gives them utterance, 
They all with other tongues begin to speak. 

And, lo, the tidings spread abroad at once, 
And wondering multitudes the Temple seek. 
Jerusalem, this Pentecostal week, 

Has strangers from each nation under Heaven ; 
Proselytes gathered to the Jewish fold 

Come to keep up the Day the Law was given. 
These with the native throngs shall now behold, 
How the New Testament transcends the Old. 

XIV. 

Coming together all confounded are, 

Because each man in his own language hears 

The rapt, inspired company declare 

That which was dimly seen by ancient seers, 
But now in fullest grace to man appears, 

Nor shadow of past darkness intervenes. 

And what is this, they say, to day upsprung ? 

Behold, all these that speak are Galileans ; 
How hear we every man in our own tongue 
Declare His risen Day of whom the prophets sung '! 

XV. 

A part thus thoughtful hear the word divine ; 
But others, unbelievers, mocking say, 



PENTECOST. 45 



Those men are drunken lull of the new wine. 

Thus sin-blind Doubt gropes at the noon of Day, 

And would the very voice of God gainsay ; 
But rising- with the eleven, Peter stands 

In his new baptism all illuminate. 
At once the silenced crowd, his voice commands, 

Round him the wondering people congregate. 

As if upon his lips hung their eternal fate. 

XVI. 

Dwellers in Judea, know ye what I say, 
Hearken ye to the truth my words disclose ; 

Seeing it is the third hour of the day, 

These are not drunk with wine as ye suppose, 
But this is that the Prophet Joel shows, 

And it shall come to pass in the last days, 
Saith God, I pour my Spirit from on high 

Upon all flesh. In its redundant rays 

Shall all your sons and daughters prophesy, 
Even as the glory of the Lord draws nigh. 

XVII. 

Your young men shall see visions, your old men 
Shall be illumined by prophetic dreams ; 

Yea, on my Servants and my handmaidens 
In equal power, fall the prophetic beams, 
God purely equal all His children deems. 

(What, shall slaves prophesy? andean it be 

That the most High shall dwell and walk in them ' 



,46 • PENTECOST. 



Yea, where His Spirit lives, is Liberty, 
Oh ! let me kiss for this the very hem 
Of Jesus robe, and bless, His princely Diadem.) 

XVIII. 

''I will show wonders in the Heavens on high, 
And signs portentous in the Earth below, 

Blood, fire, columns of smoke along the sky. 
The moon shall wear a lurid fiery glow, 
The darkened Sun no more its light shall show : 

Vet shall it surely come to pass that all, 

How e'er before by Satan's power enslaved. 

Who on the name of Christ our Lord shall call. 
Shall through the power of that dear name be saved' 

XIX. 

Then does the Spirit in his speech infuse 

Such judgment words as pierce their hearts in twain, 

Shewing the trembling and convicted Jews 

How they the glorious Prince of Life had slain. 
When Pilate would have let Him go again. 

Now as they hear these things, like fiery darts 

The burning words of Peter search them through. 

Fear and Remorse now pricked them in their hearts. 
And pale the conscience stricken people grew, 
Crying aloud, "Brethren, what shall we do ?" 

XX. 

Peter with words of healing, here begins. 
Repent, and be baptized in Jesus' name — 



PENTECOST. 



Baptized lor the remission of your sins. 

The Holy Ghost will fall on you, the same 
As erst on us in cloven tongues of flame. 

Through God's great love you and your children b< 
Are heirs of Promise ; yea, it runs to all 

Whom, faithful to His Everlasting oath 

Made to our Great High Priest before the Fall, 
The Father in His plenteous grace shall call. 



XXI. 

(Haran) Three Thousand in His name baptized to 
day! 

Thy name and mine, Dear En os, with them found '. 
How poorly words my heart's full joy convey, 

The very air of Heaven is all around, 

Jerusalem to day is Holy Ground. 
Oh ! look, the mellowing skies do teem with grace. 

Nature herself as a clear mirror shows 
The beauty of our loved Redeemer's lace. 

Were ever, Enos, skies as fair as those, 

In all the loveliness of His divine repose .' 

XXII. 

Each ripple of the wave, is melody ; 

The sweet voiced breezes tell me my salvation. 

All things are changed, else is the change in me ; 
Around me now appears the new Creation, 
And my heart leaps in holy gratulation, 



48 PENT ECO XT. 



Save that I cannot bear with thee to part. 

Since thou and I in Jesus are made one. 
There is no shade of grief upon my heart, 

But now I see the day is nearly done. 

And thou must leave me with the setting Sun. 
XXIII. 
(Enos) Haran, I brought a costly offering here. 

But with a priceless Gift I now return ; 
For what are all the treasures held so dear, 

To the rich Love that in my soul does burn ! 

My gods of Gold and Silver now I spurn. 
No mention shall be made of rubies rare, 

Diamonds and gems are found of little worth. 
1 own a precious pearl beyond compare ; 

My soul, enlarged from the gross chains of Earth 

Peels, even to Extacy, the Second Birth ! 
XXIV. 
The Rabbi Nicodemus goes Avith me. 

Whose heart the memory of Christ embalms. 
Once more he'll tell that blessed history 

Which my Elizabeth so deeply charms. 

Beneath the shadow of our spreading palms. 
Now she will find me ready witness bring 

To every truth and fad that he relates 
Concerning Jesus Christ, my Lord and King. 

But, friend, farewell, the Caravan awaits 

My coining now outside the City Gates. 

\_They salute and part] 



PENTECOST. 49 



XXV. 

(Ha kan, Sol us.) Gone is my friend, and I am left 
alone — 
Yet not alone, Jesus within me dwells. 

.V conscious Peace is o'er my spirit thrown. 
So sweet, it even Rapture's self excels, 
And not a thought, against that Peace rebels. 

Oh ! what a day to me the past has been — 
A day more bright than Paradise could boast,, 

E'er the primeval Earth knew shade of sin — 
Day of the coming of the Holy Ghost, 
O day of blessedness ! O sacred Pentecost ! 

XXVI. 

Come gentle night, call out each listening Star, 
And tell the Story to those radiant seers ; 

Then let them tell it to the worlds afar, 
Till all the universe the wonder hears, 
Awakening the old music of the Spheres. 

Whose lovely keynote broken at Adam's fall. 
Jarred into discord and the strain was lost. 

From silence now the Chorus grand recall 
Be this the Refrain of the Starry Host. 
The tongues of flame — the Day of Pentecost! 



:f;|i [b'iWjM; 




